I have been posting lately about my highs … which are not yet better 😦
This has been going on for about a month now and I’m so over it. Nothing I’m trying seems to be working. Increased basals, new sites, new insulin, temp basals, etc. Last week I started to freak out a little. I tried calling my CDE – she was out of the office. I decided maybe I should go back on shots, just to rule out a pump malfunction .. so I left two messages for my new Endo but they never returned my call. 😦
One of the main reasons I stayed with my old Endo as many years as I did was because he had his own practice, and it was a very small office and I could always talk to his nurse and get what I needed. He was not as hands on or proactive as I’d like, so I ultimately made the decision to find a new practice. I knew going into a large practice that I’d lose the one on one factor, but I didn’t realize how much I’d miss that till last week when they didn’t return my call.
I was very specific in the two messages I left- that my blood sugars had been very high and I wanted to try going back on shots for a few days. But that I needed direction from the dr because I have been back on the pump for 8 yrs now so I had no idea where to start with a sliding scale, and I’d also need an Rx for Lantus.
So the no returned call thing bugs me. I do have an appointment with him in 2 weeks but I do NOT want this to drag out another two weeks.
This morning, for example, I was in a fine range when I woke up. Bolused for my 28g for breakfast. And while I sat at work I started to feel sick to my stomach – checked my bg and I was 396. Out of nowhere. *sigh*
Something needs to change …. I just need direction on what else we can try??
No More Shots for Shannon 
Something is definitely not right — on more than one count. First, I would give your new endo’s office a chance to explain and to redeem themselves. But as far as the high BG’s go, there are so many possibilities (and things I don’t know, both about you specifically and generally-medically) but there is definitely a reason. I hope you can get some consolation on both counts.
(Meanwhile, have you ruled out the obvious — like a bad vial of insulin? Any reason to believe the pump isn’t working right?)
My CDE had me swing by the office last week to get a new vial. And she said change sites to a new area. Both are done. Set new basals. Don’t think it’s carb ratios because it’s random times of days. I have an appt with the new Endo week after next and I will definitely bring this up. I’ve been back to work since January. My husband travels a lot and I’m home with the boys after work. And that sounds stressful but I don’t feel this is stress related… But who knows? It feels very random.
Hi Shannon,
A friend recommended that I check out your blog. I can SO relate to all of this, having had serious problems with my insulin pump over the past year such as what you have described here. Eventually I switched back to shots, and I do feel better, although I am still nailing down the finer details to afford me better blood sugars. Your situation sounds like faulty pump products to me, but I’m not a doctor. If there is any advice I can offer or if you ever need to vent to someone who gets it, I totally do. Feel free to contact me.
-Ally
Thanks so much, Ally! Nice to “meet” you! I went on the pump the first time in ’97 (5 yrs after my dx) and I went into dka 3 times from ’98-99. All 3x from my pump malfunctioning. So I went back to shots until I got pregnant with my older son and have been back on it for 8 years now. This is the first time in those 8 years I’ve even considered going back on shots.
By any chance do you use the Sure T infusion sets? Those were the source of my problem. Insulin pooled at the connector site instead of going into my body. Only took months of high BGs and ketones with every site change, coupled with insulin dripping off of the connector site, to figure it out… I hope your problems get resolved quickly and painlessly! It’s such a headache when technology doesn’t work as intended, and pumps are so great (assuming they work as they should)! Good luck!
Thank you! No, I use the Quik Set.
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